1997 Ford Contour car overheats

1997 FORD CONTOUR
Avatar
MBASCOM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Engine Cooling problem
1997 Ford Contour 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

My daughters' car, whenever she drives it, the heat doesn't work, or when it does it takes a long time then not real hot. Lately she has lost water twice in the last month with NO water left in the reservoir. We just replaced the thermostat, and still no heat, and it still overheats in a matter of 3 minutes to the L on normal. what can the problem be?
Dec 20, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi:
With the engine COLD, remove the rad cap and start the car. When it hits normal operating temp, the coolant in the rad should begine to circulate freely. If it doesn't, you most likely need to have the radiator flushed or rodded out.

Also, check the engine oil to make sure no coolant is getting in to the oil. Finally, can you locate any coolant leaks?

Joe
Jan 2, 2009 at 11:01 AM